Device and method for vision enhancement and for determining the weather situation

Abstract

A method and a device for vision enhancement in a motor vehicle. Image data are detected from the surroundings, and additionally the weather situation is determined from image data, one or more areas of an image and/or a plurality of images recorded at different points in time being compared for determining the weather situation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for vision enhancement in a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 recording a first image data of a first image area, the first image area representing at least a portion of a first image;    recording second image data of a second image area, the second image area representing at least one of a portion of the first image and at least a portion of a second image recorded at a different point in time;    comparing the first set of image data with the second set of image data so as to determine a weather situation.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the comparing is performed using an index of a sharpness of at least one of the first and second images.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising comparing a difference between an intensity of a first pixel with an intensity of at least one of an adjacent and a surrounding pixel.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining a variation of at least one of the first and second image data over time so as to determine an intensity of a precipitation.    
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising controlling at least one vehicle component using the index.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , selecting a parameter for image processing using the index.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising determining the index using at least one of the first and second image data, wherein the first and second image data are recorded within a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and second image data is recorded after an action of the vehicle, and further comprising determining the index using at least one of the first and second image data.  
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising presenting a user with at least one of a piece of information and an instruction as a function of the index.  
     
     
         10 . A device for vision enhancement in a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 an image-recording device configured to record a first image data of a first image area, the first image area representing at least a portion of a first image, and to record a second image data of a second image area, the second image area representing at least one of a portion of the first image and at least a portion of a second image recorded at a difference point in time; and    an analyzer device configured to compare the first image data with the second image data so as to determine a weather situation.    
     
     
         11 . The device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the image-recording device is an infrared camera.  
     
     
         12 . The device as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a radiation source to at least partially illuminate a field detected by the image-recording device.  
     
     
         13 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the radiation source emits infrared radiation.